Exhaust gas monitoring system and exhaust gas monitoring method

Abstract

The invention provides an exhaust gas monitoring system and an exhaust gas monitoring method. This exhaust monitoring system is provided with: an exhaust purification device for purifying exhaust discharged from an engine; a first sensor that detects the amount of nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust gas purification device; the display device is used for prompting information to a user of the vehicle; and a management device. The management device determines that an abnormality has occurred in a component included in the exhaust gas when the first sensor detects nitrogen oxide in an amount equal to or greater than a threshold value. In an exhaust monitoring system, a management device displays, on a display device, a travelable distance that is a distance until a travel distance reaches a predetermined distance after it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. When the engine is stopped in a state where the travelable distance is zero, the management device prohibits the engine from starting even if an operation for starting the engine is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to exhaust gas monitoring systems and methods. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-8849 discloses an exhaust monitoring system. This exhaust monitoring system measures the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in the exhaust of an engine.

[0003] Engine exhaust contains NOx and particulate matter (PM). An exhaust purification device is installed in the engine's exhaust passage. The engine exhaust is purified by this device, thereby suppressing the emission of NOx and PM. In cases where abnormalities occur in the exhaust composition due to factors such as malfunction of the exhaust purification device, it is desirable to take measures as soon as possible to suppress the emission of exhaust containing these abnormalities. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides an exhaust monitoring system for a vehicle equipped with an engine. The exhaust monitoring system includes: an exhaust purification device for purifying exhaust gas emitted from the engine; a first sensor for detecting the amount of nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas after passing through the exhaust purification device; a display device for providing information to the user of the vehicle; and a management device. In this exhaust monitoring system, the management device is configured to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust gas when the first sensor detects a amount of nitrogen oxides exceeding a threshold. In this exhaust monitoring system, the management device is configured to display a drivable distance on the display device, the drivable distance being the distance traveled until a predetermined distance is reached after the abnormality is determined to have occurred. In this exhaust monitoring system, the management device is configured to prevent the engine from starting even if an operation to start the engine is performed when the drivable distance becomes zero and the engine is stopped.

[0005] In cases where the amount of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust is abnormal, the exhaust monitoring system described above can prompt the user to have the vehicle repaired as soon as possible. Furthermore, if the user ignores the notification and continues to use the vehicle without repair, the exhaust monitoring system can prevent the engine from starting, thus stopping the exhaust from being emitted from the vehicle.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an exhaust monitoring method for a vehicle equipped with an engine and an exhaust monitoring system. The exhaust monitoring system includes: an exhaust purification device configured to purify exhaust gas emitted by the engine; a first sensor configured to detect the amount of nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust purification device; and a display device configured to provide information to the user of the vehicle. The method includes: determining that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust gas when the first sensor detects a amount of nitrogen oxides exceeding a threshold; displaying a drivable distance on the display device, the drivable distance being the distance traveled until a predetermined distance is reached after the abnormality has occurred; and prohibiting the engine from starting even when an operation to start the engine is performed when the drivable distance becomes zero and the engine stops. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an exhaust monitoring system according to one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the exhaust system included in the exhaust monitoring system.

[0009] Figure 3 It means based on Figure 1 The diagram shows the control changes of the exhaust monitoring system in relation to the vehicle's travel distance.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The exhaust monitoring system shown is an example of an image displayed on a display device.

[0011] Figure 5 It means Figure 1 The table shown illustrates the changes in the images displayed on the display device from the exhaust monitoring system.

[0012] Figure 6 It means Figure 1 The flowchart shown illustrates a series of processes performed by the management device. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 6 One implementation of the exhaust monitoring system will be described.

[0014] <Structure of Exhaust Monitoring System 100>

[0015] like Figure 1 As shown, the exhaust monitoring system 100 is applied to a vehicle 10. The exhaust monitoring system 100 includes a display device 11, a management device 12, and an exhaust system 20.

[0016] Display device 11 has a screen for displaying images. Display device 11 provides information to the user of vehicle 10 by displaying images on the screen. Display device 11 may be, for example, a monitor displaying a speedometer in vehicle 10. Display device 11 may also be a head-up display. Display device 11 may also be a monitor for car navigation or display audio. Display device 11 may also be a multi-information display located on the instrument panel.

[0017] like Figure 2 As shown, the exhaust system 20 includes an engine 21, an exhaust purification device 22, an exhaust pipe 23, a first sensor 24, and a second sensor 25. The exhaust system 20 is a mechanism for discharging exhaust gas from the engine 21 to the outside of the vehicle 10.

[0018] Engine 21 is a diesel engine.

[0019] The exhaust pipe 23 is connected to the combustion chamber of the engine 21. The exhaust pipe 23 is... Figure 2 The tip of the dashed arrow in the diagram connects to the exterior of vehicle 10. Exhaust gas from engine 21 flows through exhaust pipe 23 towards... Figure 2 The direction of the dashed arrow in the figure is the direction of flow. Exhaust gas is discharged to the outside of vehicle 10 through exhaust pipe 23.

[0020] like Figure 2 As shown, the exhaust purification device 22 is installed in the exhaust pipe 23 at the section through which exhaust gas passes. The exhaust purification device 22 purifies the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 21. The exhaust gas is purified as it passes through the exhaust purification device 22.

[0021] Exhaust purification device 22 may be, for example, a diesel engine oxidation catalyst (DOC) that oxidizes components in PM (particulate matter). Exhaust purification device 22 may also be a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that treats PM contained in exhaust gas. Exhaust purification device 22 may also be a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst that uses ammonia generated from the hydrolysis of urea to reduce NOx (nitrogen oxides) in exhaust gas.

[0022] The exhaust monitoring system 100 may also include multiple exhaust purification devices 22. For example, the exhaust monitoring system 100 may also include three exhaust purification devices 22: an oxidation catalyst for diesel engines, a diesel particulate filter, and a selective reduction catalyst.

[0023] like Figure 2As shown, the first sensor 24 is installed in the exhaust pipe 23, in the section through which the exhaust gas passes through the exhaust purification device 22. During engine operation, the first sensor 24 detects the amount of NOx contained in the exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust purification device 22. That is, the first sensor 24 detects the amount of NOx in the exhaust gas purified by the exhaust purification device 22.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the second sensor 25 is installed in the exhaust pipe 23, in the section through which the exhaust gas passes through the exhaust purification device 22. During engine operation, the second sensor 25 detects the amount of PM contained in the exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust purification device 22. That is, the second sensor 25 detects the amount of PM in the exhaust gas purified by the exhaust purification device 22.

[0025] exist Figure 2 In this configuration, the first sensor 24 is positioned closer to the exhaust purification device 22 than the second sensor 25. Alternatively, the second sensor 25 may be positioned closer to the exhaust purification device 22 than the first sensor 24. Furthermore, the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25 may be arranged in the exhaust pipe 23 such that the distance between the exhaust purification device 22 and the first sensor 24 is the same as the distance between the exhaust purification device 22 and the second sensor 25.

[0026] The management device 12 is, for example, an electronic control device provided with the vehicle 10. The management device 12 is connected to the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25, and obtains detection values ​​from the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25. The management device 12 determines whether the components contained in the exhaust gas are abnormal by obtaining the detection values ​​from the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25. A threshold is predetermined for the amount of NOx detected by the first sensor 24. A threshold is also predetermined for the amount of PM detected by the second sensor 25. If the detection value of at least one of the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25 exceeds the threshold, the management device 12 determines that the components contained in the exhaust gas are abnormal.

[0027] The management device 12 is connected to the display device 11 and the engine 21, and can control the display device 11 and the engine 21. When the management device 12 determines that the components contained in the exhaust are abnormal, it controls the display device 11 and the engine 21 based on the distance traveled by the vehicle 10 after the abnormality is determined.

[0028] <Control of display device 11 and engine 21 by management device 12>

[0029] Figure 3This indicates the distance traveled by vehicle 10 after management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust. For example, management device 12 calculates the distance traveled by vehicle 10 after an abnormality has been determined.

[0030] exist Figure 3 In the diagram, the starting point of the arrow indicates the location where the management device 12 determines an anomaly has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust. Figure 3 In the diagram, the further away from the starting point of the arrow is in the direction of the arrow, the longer the travel distance of vehicle 10.

[0031] In the exhaust monitoring system 100, a reference distance is predetermined for the management device 12 to control the display device 11 and the engine 21. For example... Figure 3 As shown, in the exhaust monitoring system 100, the distances used as references are predetermined, including a first distance, a second distance, a third distance, and a predetermined distance.

[0032] The longest of the reference distances is the predetermined distance. In this embodiment, the predetermined distance is 2800 km. The first distance is a distance shorter than the predetermined distance. In this embodiment, the first distance is 400 km. The second distance is a distance longer than the first distance but shorter than the predetermined distance. The third distance is a distance longer than the second distance but shorter than the predetermined distance. Thus, the reference distances increase in the order of first distance, second distance, third distance, and predetermined distance.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, after the management device 12 determines that the components contained in the exhaust have become abnormal, it begins to display a warning to the display device 11 when the vehicle 10 has traveled a distance greater than a first distance. On the other hand, the management device 12 does not display a warning on the display device 11 while the vehicle 10 has traveled a distance less than the first distance. In this way, even if the management device 12 determines that the components contained in the exhaust have become abnormal, it will not immediately display a warning on the display device 11.

[0034] Figure 4 An example of a warning display 30, where the management device 12 displays an image as a warning on the display device 11, is shown. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the warning display 30 consists of a distance display unit 31 and a message display unit 32.

[0035] The distance display unit 31 displays the drivable distance. The drivable distance refers to the distance traveled until a predetermined distance is reached after the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust. The longer the distance traveled by the vehicle 10 after the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust, the shorter the drivable distance. In other words, the distance display unit 31 displays the drivable distance while counting down the predetermined distance traveled by the vehicle 10 after the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust.

[0036] The message display unit 32 displays a warning message for the user of vehicle 10. The message displayed by the message display unit 32 may also be an image instead of a text message.

[0037] The warning has four display stages, from the first to the fourth. The higher the stage, the stronger the need for vehicle 10 to be repaired. The four display stages, in ascending order, are: first display stage, second display stage, third display stage, and fourth display stage.

[0038] For example, the message's color changes depending on the display stage. For example, the higher the display stage, the more frequently the message is displayed. For example, when the display stage is high, the message flashes. For example, when the display stage is high, sound plays along with the text and images.

[0039] The messages consist of four stages, from stage one to stage four. The higher the stage displayed, the higher the stage of the message. The four stages are listed in ascending order: Stage One, Stage Two, Stage Three, and Stage Four. For example, in a four-stage message, a higher stage indicates a stronger urgency for repairs.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, when the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust and the driving distance is greater than a first distance but less than a second distance, the display device 11 displays a warning in the first display mode.

[0041] Figure 5 The document describes the types of warnings displayed by the management device 12 on the display device 11 and the content displayed in each type in this embodiment.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, in the warning of the first display mode, the management device 12 displays the drivable distance on the distance display unit 31. Additionally, in the warning of the first display mode, the management device 12 displays a first-stage message on the message display unit 32.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, when the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust and the driving distance is greater than the second distance but less than the third distance, the display device 11 displays a warning in the second display mode.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, in the warning of the second display mode, the management device 12 displays the drivable distance on the distance display unit 31. Additionally, in the warning of the second display mode, the management device 12 displays a second-stage message on the message display unit 32.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, when the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust and the driving distance is greater than a third distance but less than a predetermined distance, the display device 11 displays a warning in a third display mode.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, in the warning of the third display mode, the management device 12 displays the drivable distance on the distance display unit 31. Additionally, in the warning of the third display mode, the management device 12 displays a third-stage message on the message display unit 32.

[0047] If the driving distance after an abnormality in the exhaust components is determined to have occurred exceeds a predetermined distance, the drivable distance becomes zero. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the management device 12 does not allow the engine 21 to be restarted after the ignition switch is turned off when the driving range is zero. That is, when the engine 21 stops in the state where the driving range is zero, the management device 12 prohibits the engine 21 from being restarted, and will not start the engine 21 even if an operation is performed to start the engine 21.

[0048] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust and the driving distance exceeds a predetermined distance, the display device 11 displays a warning in the fourth display mode.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, in the warning of the third display mode, the management device 12 displays a fourth-stage message on the message display unit 32. For example, the management device 12 strongly urges the user to repair the vehicle 10 by displaying a message indicating "the engine 21 cannot be restarted after the ignition switch of the vehicle 10 is turned off" as the fourth-stage message.

[0050] <Processing performed by management device 12>

[0051] Figure 6This refers to a series of processes performed by the management device 12 in the exhaust monitoring system 100. The management device 12 performs these processes while the engine 21 is running. Figure 6 The series of processes shown.

[0052] In step S11, the management device 12 performs a determination process. In the determination process, after obtaining detection values ​​from the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25, the management device 12 determines whether there is an abnormality in the components contained in the exhaust gas based on the obtained detection values.

[0053] As described above, a threshold is predetermined for the amount of NOx detected by the first sensor 24. Similarly, a threshold is predetermined for the amount of PM detected by the second sensor 25. If the detection value of at least one of the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25 is above the threshold, the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust gas. Conversely, if the detection values ​​of both the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25 are below the threshold, the management device 12 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust gas.

[0054] In the next step S12, the management device 12 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust gas based on the determination process in step S11.

[0055] If the management device 12 determines that the components contained in the exhaust gas are not abnormal based on the determination process in step S11 (step S12: No), then... Figure 6 The series of processes shown ends. If the management device 12 determines that the components contained in the exhaust gas have become abnormal based on the determination process in step S11 (step S12: yes), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0056] In step S13, the management device 12 determines whether the "driving distance of the vehicle 10 after the abnormality of the components contained in the exhaust" is greater than the first distance.

[0057] If the management device 12 determines that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is less than the first distance (step S13: No), it repeats steps S11 and S12. That is, the management device 12 repeatedly performs the determination process and confirms the result of the determination process until the travel distance of the vehicle 10 becomes greater than the first distance. Even if the management device 12 determines that there is no abnormality after determining that there is an abnormality in the components contained in the exhaust gas once, it will terminate the process if it determines that there is no abnormality based on the result of the determination process performed during the period when the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is less than the first distance. Figure 6 The series of processes shown.

[0058] If the management device 12 determines that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than the first distance (step S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. In the process of step S14, the management device 12 displays a warning in the first display mode on the display device 11.

[0059] At this time, for example, after determining that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than or equal to a first distance, the management device 12 stops the engine 21 of the vehicle 10, and starts displaying in the first display mode after the engine 21 of the vehicle 10 is restarted. The management device 12 may also start displaying in the first display mode immediately after determining that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than or equal to a first distance.

[0060] In the next step S15, the management device 12 determines whether the "driving distance of the vehicle 10 after the abnormality of the components contained in the exhaust" is greater than the second distance.

[0061] If the management device 12 determines that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is less than the second distance (step S15: no), it repeatedly performs the processing of step S15.

[0062] If the management device 12 determines that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than the second distance (step S15: Yes), the process proceeds to step S16. During the process in step S16, the management device 12 displays a warning in the second display mode on the display device 11.

[0063] At this time, for example, after determining that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than or equal to the second distance, the management device 12 stops the engine 21 of the vehicle 10, and starts displaying in the second display mode after the engine 21 of the vehicle 10 is restarted. The management device 12 may also start displaying in the second display mode immediately after determining that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than or equal to the second distance.

[0064] In the next step S17, the management device 12 determines whether the "distance traveled by the vehicle 10 after the abnormality of the components contained in the exhaust" is more than the third distance.

[0065] If the management device 12 determines that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is less than the third distance (step S17: no), it repeatedly performs the processing of step S17.

[0066] If the management device 12 determines that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than or equal to the third distance (step S17: Yes), the process proceeds to step S18. During the process in step S18, the management device 12 displays a warning in the third display mode on the display device 11.

[0067] At this time, for example, after determining that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than or equal to the third distance, the management device 12 stops the engine 21 of the vehicle 10, and starts displaying in the third display mode after the engine 21 of the vehicle 10 is restarted. The management device 12 may also start displaying in the third display mode immediately after determining that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than or equal to the third distance.

[0068] In the next step S19, the management device 12 determines whether the "driving distance of the vehicle 10 after the abnormality of the components contained in the exhaust" is above a predetermined distance.

[0069] If the management device 12 determines that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is less than the predetermined distance (step S19: no), it repeatedly performs the processing of step S19.

[0070] If the management device 12 determines that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than a predetermined distance (step S19: Yes), the process proceeds to step S20. During the processing in step S20, the management device 12 displays a warning for the fourth display mode on the display device 11. At this time, the management device 12 immediately begins displaying the fourth display mode after determining that the travel distance of the vehicle 10 is greater than the predetermined distance.

[0071] In the next step S21, after the management device 12 turns off the ignition switch of the vehicle 10, it stores the information as preventing the engine 21 from restarting. Furthermore, the order of execution of steps S20 and S21 can also be reversed.

[0072] In the processing following step S14, management device 12 begins displaying a warning to display device 11. When the abnormality regarding the components in the exhaust is eliminated due to repairs to vehicle 10, exhaust monitoring system 100 clears the warning display and terminates the process. Figure 6 The process described is as follows. For example, if the exhaust monitoring system 100 clears the warning display and ends the process if the exhaust purification device 22, the first sensor 24, or the second sensor 25 is repaired. Figure 6 The series of processes shown.

[0073] If the vehicle 10 is being repaired while the exhaust monitoring system 100 is displaying a warning in the first display mode, the warning in the first display mode will be cleared and the process will end. Figure 6 The series of processes shown. If the vehicle 10 is being repaired while the exhaust monitoring system 100 is displaying a warning in the second display mode, the warning in the second display mode is cleared and the process ends. Figure 6 The series of processes shown. If the vehicle 10 is being repaired while the exhaust monitoring system 100 is displaying a warning in the third display mode, the warning in the third display mode is cleared and the process ends. Figure 6 The series of processes shown. If the vehicle 10 is being repaired while the exhaust monitoring system 100 is displaying a warning in the fourth display mode, the warning in the fourth display mode is cleared and the process ends. Figure 6 The series of processes shown.

[0074] Even if the exhaust monitoring system 100 stores the prohibition of restarting the engine 21 during the processing of step S21, it will also lift the prohibition of restarting the engine 21 if the abnormality of the components contained in the exhaust is eliminated due to the repair of the vehicle 10.

[0075] Because vehicle 10 was repaired Figure 6 When the series of processes shown is completed, for example, during the repair phase of vehicle 10, the repairer of vehicle 10 resets the settings of management device 12, thereby... Figure 6 The series of processes shown here has ended. Alternatively, the process can end when the management device 12 detects that the vehicle 10 has been repaired. Figure 6 The series of processes shown.

[0076] <The function of this implementation method>

[0077] If the exhaust monitoring system 100 detects an abnormality in the amount of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust, it notifies the user of the vehicle 10 of the remaining driving distance. Subsequently, if the vehicle 10 continues to operate even with a zero remaining driving distance without being repaired, the exhaust monitoring system 100 prevents the engine 21 from restarting.

[0078] <Effects of this implementation method>

[0079] (1) If the amount of nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust is abnormal, the exhaust monitoring system 100 can prompt the user to repair the vehicle 10 as soon as possible. Moreover, if the user continues to use the vehicle 10 without repair after ignoring the notification, the engine 21 can be prevented from starting and exhaust can be discharged from the vehicle 10.

[0080] (2) The exhaust monitoring system 100 is equipped with a second sensor 25 for detecting the amount of particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust purification device 22. In the exhaust monitoring system 100, the management device 12 also determines that an abnormality has occurred when the second sensor 25 detects particulate matter in an amount exceeding a threshold.

[0081] When the exhaust monitoring system 100 detects an abnormality in the amount of particulate matter in the exhaust, it notifies the user of the remaining driving distance. Subsequently, if the vehicle 10 continues to be driven even when the remaining driving distance has reached zero without being repaired, the exhaust monitoring system 100 prevents the engine 21 from restarting. Therefore, the exhaust monitoring system 100 can prompt the user to repair the vehicle 10 as soon as possible when the amount of particulate matter in the exhaust is abnormal. Furthermore, if the user ignores the notification and continues to use the vehicle 10 without repair, the engine 21 can be prevented from restarting, thus preventing exhaust from being emitted from the vehicle 10.

[0082] (3) In the exhaust monitoring system 100, a first distance is predetermined, which is a distance less than the predetermined distance. In the exhaust monitoring system 100, when the driving distance of the management device 12 exceeds the first distance while the abnormality has not been eliminated, the management device 12 begins to display the driving distance to the display device 11.

[0083] Abnormalities in exhaust composition detected by sensors can sometimes be eliminated even without repair. Instead of immediately displaying the drivable distance upon detecting an abnormality, the exhaust monitoring system 100 begins displaying the drivable distance only after the abnormality has not been eliminated, even if the detected drivable distance exceeds a certain threshold. Therefore, the exhaust monitoring system 100 prevents situations where the drivable distance is notified "even when the abnormality in exhaust composition has been immediately eliminated."

[0084] (4) In the exhaust monitoring system 100, the first distance is 400km and the predetermined distance is 2800km. Thus, the exhaust monitoring system 100 can prevent the engine 21 from restarting after traveling more than 2800km after determining that the exhaust composition is abnormal.

[0085] (5) The exhaust monitoring system 100 predetermines: a second distance, which is longer than the first distance but less than the predetermined distance; and a third distance, which is longer than the second distance but less than the predetermined distance. In the exhaust monitoring system 100, when the management device 12 determines that the travel distance after an abnormality has occurred is greater than the first distance but less than the second distance, it displays a warning in the first display mode on the display device 11. In the exhaust monitoring system 100, when the management device 12 determines that the travel distance after an abnormality has occurred is greater than the second distance but less than the third distance, it displays a warning in the second display mode, which is different from the first display mode, on the display device 11. In the exhaust monitoring system 100, when the management device 12 determines that the travel distance after an abnormality has occurred is greater than the third distance but less than the predetermined distance, it displays a warning in the third display mode, which is different from both the first and second display modes, on the display device 11. In the exhaust monitoring system 100, when the management device 12 determines that the driving distance after an abnormality has occurred exceeds a predetermined distance, it displays a warning on the display device 11 in a fourth display mode, which is different from the first display mode, the second display mode, and the third display mode.

[0086] After determining an abnormality in the composition of the exhaust gas, the exhaust monitoring system 100 will periodically alert the user if the user continues to use the vehicle 10 without repairing it, by changing the information displayed on the display device 11 in stages. Thus, the exhaust monitoring system 100 can periodically notify the user who is not repairing the vehicle 10 that the remaining driving distance is decreasing.

[0087] <Variation Example>

[0088] This embodiment can be implemented by modification as follows. This embodiment and the following variations can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0089] In the above embodiment, engine 21 is a diesel engine. Engine 21 may also be a gasoline engine.

[0090] In the above embodiments, DOC, DPF, and SCR are exemplified as exhaust purification devices 22. The exhaust monitoring system 100 may include exhaust purification devices 22 that are not limited to those exemplified above. For example, the exhaust purification device 22 may also be a GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) that captures PM in the exhaust.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the exhaust monitoring system 100 includes a second sensor 25. The exhaust monitoring system 100 may also lack a second sensor 25. In this case, the management device 12 does not use the amount of PM contained in the exhaust as a basis to determine whether the components contained in the exhaust are abnormal.

[0092] • In the above-described embodiment, a first distance is predetermined. However, in the exhaust monitoring system 100, the first distance may not be predetermined. In this case, when the management device 12 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust, it displays a warning on the display device 11 without waiting for the vehicle 10 to travel a distance exceeding the first distance. Furthermore, in this case, the predetermined distance may not be 2800 km, but rather 2400 km.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the management device 12 does not display a warning on the display device 11 while the vehicle 10 has traveled less than the first distance. Alternatively, the management device 12 may display a warning on the display device 11 when the vehicle 10 has traveled less than the first distance.

[0094] • In the above embodiment, the first distance is 400 km. The first distance may not be 400 km. Additionally, in the above embodiment, the predetermined distance is 2800 km. The predetermined distance may not be 2800 km.

[0095] • In the above embodiments, the second distance and the third distance are determined. However, the second distance and the third distance may also be undefined.

[0096] In the above embodiments, as the distance traveled by the vehicle 10 after an anomaly is determined to have occurred increases, the management device 12 changes the display mode of the warning 30 to a first display mode, a second display mode, a third display mode, and a fourth display mode. Alternatively, the management device 12 may not change the display mode of the warning 30.

[0097] Furthermore, the types of warnings displayed as 30 are not limited to the four types mentioned above. There can be three or fewer types of warnings displayed as 30, or there can be more than five types.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the management device 12 changes the message periodically according to the stage of the display mode. Alternatively, the management device 12 may not change the message.

[0099] In the above implementation, there are messages up to the fourth stage. The maximum stage of a message can be below the third stage or above the fifth stage.

[0100] • In the exhaust monitoring system 100, the way the warning is displayed on the warning display 30 by the display device 11 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the display device 11 may display the driving distance on the distance display unit 31, but not display a message on the message display unit 32.

[0101] The management device 12 is not limited to having a CPU and memory to perform software processing. For example, the management device 12 may also have dedicated hardware circuitry such as an ASIC to perform hardware processing on at least a portion of the configuration that has undergone software processing in the above embodiments. That is, the management device 12 only needs to include a processing circuitry having any of the following structures (a) to (c): (a) A processing circuitry having one or more processing devices that execute all of the above processing according to a program, and one or more program storage devices such as a ROM that stores the program. (b) A processing circuitry having one or more processing devices that execute a portion of the above processing according to a program, one or more program storage devices, and one or more dedicated hardware circuitry that executes the remaining processing. (c) A processing circuitry having one or more dedicated hardware circuitry that executes all of the above processing.

Claims

1. An exhaust monitoring system for a vehicle equipped with an engine, wherein, have: An exhaust purification device is configured to purify the exhaust gas discharged from the engine. The first sensor is configured to detect the amount of nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust purification device; The display device is configured to provide information to the user of the vehicle. and Management device, The management device is configured such that when the first sensor detects a level of nitrogen oxides exceeding a threshold, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the components contained in the exhaust gas. The management device is configured to display the drivable distance on the display device, wherein the drivable distance is the distance until a predetermined distance is reached after the abnormality is determined to have occurred. The management device is configured such that, when the engine stops in a state where the drivable distance is zero, even if an operation is performed to start the engine, the engine is prohibited from starting.

2. The exhaust monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein, The device includes a second sensor configured to detect the amount of particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust purification device. The management device is configured to determine that the abnormality has occurred when the second sensor detects a quantity of the particulate matter exceeding a threshold.

3. The exhaust monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, A first distance is predetermined, which is a distance smaller than the predetermined distance. The management device is configured such that when the driving distance becomes greater than or equal to the first distance while the anomaly has not been eliminated, it begins to display the driving distance to the display device.

4. The exhaust monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein, The first distance is 400km. The predetermined distance is 2800km.

5. The exhaust monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein, Predetermined: The second distance is a distance that is longer than the first distance but less than the predetermined distance; and The third distance is a distance that is longer than the second distance but less than the predetermined distance. The management device is configured to display a warning in a first display mode on the display device when the travel distance after determining that the abnormality has occurred is greater than the first distance and less than the second distance. The management device is configured such that, when the travel distance after determining that the abnormality has occurred is greater than the second distance but less than the third distance, a warning in a second display mode, different from the first display mode, is displayed on the display device. The management device is configured such that, when the travel distance after determining that the abnormality has occurred is greater than the third distance but less than the predetermined distance, a warning is displayed on the display device in a third display mode, which is different from the first display mode and the second display mode. The management device is configured such that, when the driving distance after the abnormality is determined to have occurred exceeds the predetermined distance, a warning is displayed on the display device in a fourth display mode, which is different from the first display mode, the second display mode, and the third display mode.

6. An exhaust monitoring method for a vehicle equipped with an engine and an exhaust monitoring system, wherein, The exhaust monitoring system includes: An exhaust purification device is configured to purify the exhaust gas discharged from the engine. The first sensor is configured to detect the amount of nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust purification device; and The display device is configured to provide information to the user of the vehicle. The exhaust monitoring method includes: When the first sensor detects a level of nitrogen oxides above a threshold, the components contained in the exhaust gas are determined to be abnormal. The display device shows the drivable distance, which is the distance until a predetermined distance is reached after the abnormality is determined to have occurred; and If the engine stops when the drivable distance is zero, starting the engine is prohibited even if an operation is performed to start the engine.

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